Wilko ‘relieved’ to end championship curse

Sydney FC defender Alex Wilkinson was the most relieved man at Allianz Stadium on Sunday as his Grand Final misery ended with a maiden Hyundai A-League championship.

Hailed by some as the signing of the season, Wilkinson was typically lion-hearted throughout the arm-wrestle with Melbourne Victory but looked set to continue his horror run in deciders when he put his shootout attempt wide of the upright.